E.P.A. issues order to Estate of James Campbell and Weston Solutions, Inc., to complete final cleanup at former wood treatment facility on Oahu / Action requires completion of final remedy for soil and groundwater at the 2.6-acre location

(08/11/10) HONOLULU - The E.P.A. has negotiated terms and ordered cleanup of the former Chem-Wood wood treatment facility located in the Ewa Beach area of Oahu.

The consent order directs the Estate of James Campbell, a former property owner, and Weston Solutions Inc., the current property owner, to grade the location and consolidate contaminated soil under an asphalt cap. In addition, groundwater will be monitored and treated, and restrictions placed on the property to prevent future residential use and use of groundwater. Weston will also fund a Trust Account to ensure that the final remedy is completed. E.P.A. selected the final remedy in late 2009.

"This final remedy follows up on waste cleanup and removal work that E.P.A. ordered in 2008," noted Jeff Scott, Director of the Waste Management Division for U.S. EPA's Pacific Southwest Region. "We're pleased that the cleanup by the companies will make it possible to put the property back into productive commercial or industrial use."

The 2008 removal action included the removal of all remaining contaminated debris such as treatment vessels and chemical storage tanks. In December 2009, E.P.A. issued its Final Remedy Decision, which will be implemented under this order.

The final remedy includes:

* Construction and long-term maintenance of an asphalt concrete cap across the site,
* Limited excavation of soil from 2 adjacent properties and placement under the new cap,
* Monitoring and treatment of any contaminated groundwater,
* Fencing and signs to restrict location access, and
* Deed restrictions on the use of the property and prohibiting residential reuse.

The former Chem-Wood Treatment Company operated a wood pressure-treating operation at the location between 1975 and 1988. The operation used hazardous chemicals containing chromium, arsenic and mineral spirits, some of which were released to soil and have impacted groundwater. E.P.A. 1st took enforcement action at the location in 1988 and has since overseen a series of location investigations and cleanup actions.

For more information on hazardous waste, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/hazard